SECONDARY school students in Highcliffe won first prize in a national competition celebrating the Mexican Day of the Dead.

Year 11 pupils from Highcliffe Secondary School were awarded the trophy by the Mexican Ambassador to the UK.

Hundreds of children across England took part in a new initiative led by Dr Jane Lavery from the University of Southampton in collaboration with the Mexican Embassy to the UK.

Schools were invited to participate in Mexican Day of the Dead activities at school and submit a Day of the Dead short video competition.

Students at Highcliffe Secondary School also created an altar dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II made from recycled materials.  

Dr Jane Lavery said: “The Day of the Dead is a joyous and colourful celebration and commemoration about those who have passed away.

“Unfortunately, in the UK there is a misconception that this religious practice is simply a Mexican Halloween, which it’s not.

“With schools engaging in this practice in class, this is a wonderful creative way of raising awareness about this practice, how it is not Halloween, how it is important to talk about death in more open ways, and how the practice can be a positive way of celebrating difference and diversity.”

Head of Highcliffe Secondary School, Patrick Earnshaw, said: “Activities like this bring foreign languages alive and make great experiences for students.

“As a former specialist language college with a proud tradition of international education, this award from the Mexican Ambassador to our Year 11s is very special moment for the whole school.”